JP2016034328A - Electrical stimulator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electro-stimulator capable of setting the intensity of an electric stimulation easily in accordance with the state of muscle.SOLUTION: An electro-stimulator comprises: an electrode part 20 for applying an electric stimulation to a muscle; a photoelectric sensor 30 for outputting a measurement signal Is varying according to the oxygen concentration in a muscle; an operation and display part 12 for indicating the information which is obtained on the state of the muscle on the basis of the measurement signal Is; and a control part 11 having a training mode for applying an electric stimulation capable of contributing a training to the electrode part 20, for causing the operation and display part 12 to indicate the information on the basis of an oxygen concentration Xs obtained from the measurement signal Is obtained at the time of executing the training mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical stimulation device that applies electrical stimulation to muscles.

  Conventionally, electrotherapy has been used as a treatment for a decrease in skeletal muscle strength or a decrease in motor ability when a body is damaged due to a disease or an accident, or as a rehabilitation after treatment (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the sports field, electrotherapy is also used for strength training to increase muscle strength or increase exercise capacity. It has been found that a high muscle strengthening effect can be obtained by applying electrical stimulation to the main and antagonist muscles using electrotherapy for muscle training.

  However, in this electrotherapy, an expert such as a physical therapist or occupational therapist attaches the electrode portion of the electrostimulator to the target site based on his knowledge and experience. And the above-mentioned expert adjusts the intensity | strength of electrical stimulation based on the reaction of the pain of a user when electrical stimulation is given based on one's knowledge and experience.

Japanese Patent No. 4316745

  By the way, in this electrotherapy, since a user exercises in a state where muscles are contracted by electrical stimulation, fatigue becomes larger than normal exercise. With regard to muscle fatigue, changes in muscle strength before and after exercise can be determined with a muscle force meter or electromyograph, but it is difficult to measure the fatigue state of muscles during exercise.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical stimulation device that can measure the fatigue state of muscles during exercise.

  According to an independent embodiment of the electrical stimulation apparatus, an electrode unit that applies electrical stimulation to an object, a measurement unit that outputs a measurement signal that changes according to the oxygen concentration of the object, and the measurement signal From the measurement signal obtained when executing the training mode, comprising a notification unit for reporting information on the state of the obtained muscle, and a training mode for applying the electrical stimulation that can contribute to training to the electrode unit A control unit that causes the notification unit to notify the information on which the required measurement value is reflected.

  The electrical stimulator can measure muscle fatigue during exercise.

The figure which shows the schematic structure about Embodiment 1 of an electrical stimulator. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the electrical stimulation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a photoelectric sensor of the electrical stimulation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows light emission timings of the photoelectric sensor of the electrical stimulation device according to the first embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows the relationship between the oxygen concentration by the electric stimulator of Embodiment 1, and time, (b) is a figure which shows the relationship between the output voltage by the electric stimulator of Embodiment 1, and time. (A) is a figure which shows the relationship between the oxygen concentration and time in Embodiment 2 of an electric stimulator, (b) is a figure which shows the relationship between the output voltage by the electric stimulator of Embodiment 2, and time. (A) is a figure which shows the relationship between the oxygen concentration and time in Embodiment 3 of an electric stimulator, (b) is a figure which shows the relationship between the output voltage by the electric stimulator of Embodiment 3, and time. (A) is a figure which shows the relationship between the oxygen concentration by the electrical stimulation apparatus of Embodiment 3, and time, (b) is a figure which shows the relationship between the output voltage by the electrical stimulation apparatus of Embodiment 3, and time. (A) is a figure which shows the relationship between the oxygen concentration and time in Embodiment 4 of an electric stimulator, (b) is a figure which shows the relationship between the output voltage by the electric stimulator of Embodiment 4, and time. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a training mode by the electrical stimulation device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an assist mode by the electrical stimulation device according to the fourth embodiment. The figure which shows the schematic structure about Embodiment 5 of an electric stimulator. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation performed by the electrical stimulation apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

(An example of the form which this electrical stimulator can take)
[1] According to an independent embodiment of the electrical stimulation apparatus, an electrode unit that applies electrical stimulation to an object, a measurement unit that outputs a measurement signal that changes according to the oxygen concentration of the object, and the measurement signal A notification mode for reporting information on the state of the muscle obtained based on the above, and a training mode for applying the electrical stimulation that can contribute to training to the electrode unit, and obtained when the training mode is executed A control unit that causes the notification unit to notify the information in which the measurement value obtained from the measurement signal is reflected.

  According to this electrical stimulation device, a measurement value that changes according to the oxygen concentration of the object is obtained by a measurement signal output from the measurement unit, and information that reflects the measurement value when the electrical stimulation is applied is given to the user. Notification can be made via the notification unit. For this reason, when the user is executing the training mode, information on the state of the muscle can be obtained from the notification unit. Therefore, it is possible to measure the fatigue state of muscles during exercise.

  [2] According to an embodiment dependent on the electrical stimulation device, the control unit calculates an oxygen concentration based on the measurement value, and causes the notification unit to notify the information reflecting the calculated oxygen concentration. .

  According to this electrical stimulation device, after calculating the oxygen concentration based on the measurement value, the information reflecting the oxygen concentration is notified to the notification unit. For this reason, the state of the muscle according to the oxygen concentration, in other words, the fatigue state and the load state can be obtained and output as information.

  [3] According to one aspect dependent on the electrical stimulation device, the control unit integrates and calculates the measurement value obtained when the training mode is executed, or the training mode The oxygen concentration is calculated on the basis of the measured value obtained when executing the above, and the information reflecting the integrated value calculated by integrating the oxygen concentration is notified to the notification unit.

  According to this electrical stimulator, the oxygen concentration decreases when the muscle is fatigued, so calculating the integrated value that integrates the measured value or oxygen concentration makes it easy to understand the decrease in oxygen concentration, and reports muscle fatigue. Can be made easier.

  [4] According to one aspect dependent on the electrical stimulation device, the control unit continues the state in which the oxygen concentration calculated when the training mode is being executed is equal to or less than a load determination value for a determination time or more. Based on this, at least one of information indicating that the muscle is tired and information indicating that a load is applied to the muscle is notified to the notification unit.

  According to this electrical stimulation device, the oxygen concentration is equal to or less than the load determination value, and information indicating that the muscle is fatigued or that a load is applied to the muscle based on continuing for the determination time or more. Is notified from the notification unit. For this reason, it is possible to reliably detect that the muscle is tired or that a load is applied to the muscle and to notify information on the state of the muscle.

  [5] According to an embodiment dependent on the electrical stimulation device, the control unit shows a tendency that the oxygen concentration calculated when the training mode is executed is lower than a strengthening determination value. Based on the above, the intensity of the electrical stimulation applied to the electrode unit is increased.

  According to this electrical stimulation device, the oxygen concentration does not decrease below the reinforcement determination value while the training mode is executed and the oxygen concentration decreases, which means that the influence of electrical stimulation is small. Therefore, by increasing the intensity of electrical stimulation, it is possible to further reduce the oxygen concentration by applying a load to the muscle.

  [6] According to one aspect dependent on the electrical stimulation device, the control unit shows a tendency that the oxygen concentration calculated when the training mode is executed is lower than the weakening determination value. Based on this, the intensity of the electrical stimulation applied to the electrode part is reduced or made zero.

  According to the present electrical stimulation device, the fact that the oxygen concentration is lower than the weakening determination value while the training mode is executed and the oxygen concentration is reduced means that the influence of the electrical stimulation is large. Therefore, further load on the muscle can be suppressed by reducing the intensity of electrical stimulation or making it zero.

  [7] According to an embodiment dependent on the electrical stimulation device, the control unit is based on the fact that the oxygen concentration does not recover to the recovery determination value even after the recovery determination time has elapsed after the training mode is ended. Thus, at least one of information indicating that the muscle is tired and information indicating that a load is applied to the muscle is notified to the notification unit.

  According to the electrical stimulation device, the fact that the oxygen concentration does not recover to the recovery determination value even after the recovery determination time has elapsed means that the influence of the electrical stimulation is sufficient. Therefore, it is possible to reliably detect that the muscle is tired or that a load is applied to the muscle and to notify information on the state of the muscle.

  [8] According to an embodiment subordinate to the electrical stimulation device, the first and second electrode portions that are the electrode portions are provided, and the first measurement portion and the second measurement that are the measurement portions. The control unit calculates a first oxygen concentration that is the oxygen concentration based on the measurement signal output by the first measurement unit, and outputs the first oxygen concentration by the second measurement unit Based on the measurement signal, a second oxygen concentration that is the oxygen concentration is calculated, and a difference between the first oxygen concentration and the second oxygen concentration is calculated between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion. Used for control.

  According to this electrical stimulation device, the first electrode unit calculates the oxygen concentration of the object to which electrical stimulation is applied based on the measurement signal output by the first measurement unit, and the second electrode unit applies electrical stimulation. The oxygen concentration of the object is calculated based on the measurement signal output from the second measurement unit. And the difference of each calculated oxygen concentration is used for control of each electrode part. For this reason, by controlling the electrical stimulation given by each electrode part, muscle fatigue and muscle load can be controlled.

[9] According to one aspect dependent on the electrical stimulation device, the control unit controls the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit so that the difference becomes small.
According to the electrical stimulation device, the control unit controls the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit so that the difference between the first oxygen concentration and the second oxygen concentration is reduced. For this reason, the oxygen concentration of the objects to which the respective electrode units are attached can be made closer, and as a result, the muscle fatigue and the load on the muscle can be made closer.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the electrical stimulation apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the electrical stimulation apparatus includes an electrode unit 20 and a photoelectric sensor 30 that are worn on the user's human body. The electrical stimulation device also includes a controller 10 that is electrically connected to the electrode unit 20 and the photoelectric sensor 30. The electrode unit 20 applies electrical stimulation to muscles that are objects, and includes a pair of first electrode 21 and second electrode 22. The photoelectric sensor 30 measures the oxygen concentration in the muscle and outputs a measurement signal corresponding to the measured oxygen concentration. The controller 10 controls the output voltage as the intensity of electrical stimulation applied to the muscle from the electrode unit 20. The controller 10 receives a measurement signal from the photoelectric sensor 30 and calculates an oxygen concentration based on the input measurement signal. The electrode unit 20 (the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22) and the photoelectric sensor 30 are attached to a supporter 40 that can be mounted on a surface such as a leg. The first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 each have a structure that is electrically insulated. For this reason, it is suppressed that electricity flows from each electrode 21 and 22 to another electrode, the controller 10, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 function as an electrode unit 20 that applies electrical stimulation to muscles by electricity flowing between them. The intensity of the electrical stimulation output from the electrode unit 20 is determined by, for example, the magnitude of the output voltage Vx that is a voltage between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22. Usually, the intensity of the electrical stimulation increases as the output voltage Vx increases, and the intensity of the electrical stimulation decreases as the output voltage Vx decreases. The photoelectric sensor 30 functions as a measurement unit that outputs a measurement signal Is that changes according to the oxygen concentration in the muscle. The controller 10 includes a control unit 11 that controls electrical stimulation and the like. The controller 10 includes an operation / display unit 12 that is operated by the user, displays the oxygen concentration Xs, the stimulation voltage Vp, and the state of the apparatus. The controller 10 further includes a power supply unit 13 that supplies electricity to the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22. The operation / display unit 12 functions as a notification unit.

  The operation / display unit 12 includes an operation unit that can perform an input operation and a display unit that displays information. The operation unit includes one or more operation buttons. The display unit includes a display device such as a liquid crystal screen, and displays at least one of characters and images. The operation / display unit 12 may be configured to prompt an operation to the operation unit according to information to be displayed on the display unit.

  The power supply unit 13 outputs electricity corresponding to the output voltage Vx to the electrode unit 20 based on the control by the control unit 11. The power supply unit 13 generates an output voltage Vx corresponding to the voltage command Vc input from the control unit 11, and outputs the generated output voltage Vx to the electrode unit 20.

  The control unit 11 includes an oxygen concentration calculation unit 14 that calculates an intramuscular oxygen concentration Xs, a determination unit 15 that determines an appropriate stimulation voltage Vp according to the oxygen concentration Xs calculated by the oxygen concentration calculation unit 14, and an electrode unit 20. And an electrical stimulation control unit 16 for controlling. The oxygen concentration calculation unit 14 calculates the oxygen concentration Xs in the muscle based on the measurement signal Is output from the photoelectric sensor 30. The determination unit 15 receives the oxygen concentration Xs from the oxygen concentration calculation unit 14 and determines the stimulation voltage Vp based on the input oxygen concentration Xs. Since the oxygen concentration Xs corresponds to the muscle state, the determined stimulation voltage Vp corresponds to the muscle state.

  The determination unit 15 outputs information on the oxygen concentration Xs, the muscle state corresponding to the oxygen concentration Xs, and the stimulation voltage Vp to the operation / display unit 12. The determination unit 15 causes the operation / display unit 12 to display, for example, the oxygen concentration Xs, the muscle state, and the stimulation voltage Vp. The determination unit 15 instructs the electrical stimulation control unit 16 to use the stimulation voltage Vp.

  The operation / display unit 12 provides notification by displaying the oxygen concentration Xs input from the determination unit 15, the state of the muscle, the stimulation voltage Vp, and the like. In addition, the operation / display unit 12 outputs an instruction Ic according to the user's operation to the electrical stimulation control unit 16. Examples of the instruction Ic from the operation / display unit 12 to the electrical stimulation control unit 16 include an electrical stimulation pattern and a mode determined according to the purpose of applying electrical stimulation. The mode includes a training mode in which electrical stimulation that can contribute to training is applied to the electrode unit 20, an assist mode in which electrical stimulation is applied to the electrode unit 20 to support muscle movement, and the like.

  The electrical stimulation control unit 16 receives the stimulation voltage Vp from the determination unit 15 and the instruction Ic from the operation / display unit 12, creates a voltage command Vc corresponding to the input instruction, and outputs it to the power supply unit 13. To do. For example, an output voltage Vx having a pulsed voltage pattern is supplied to the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 through the power supply unit 13 by the voltage command Vc created by the electrical stimulation control unit 16. The controller 10 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) 17 and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) 18. A RAM 17 and an EEPROM 18 are connected to the control unit 11. The measured oxygen concentration is temporarily stored in the RAM 17. The EEPROM 18 stores a map indicating a determination value for determining a muscle fatigue state and a muscle fatigue state with respect to each determination value.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the photoelectric sensor 30 includes a light emitting unit 31 that emits detection light and a light receiving unit 32 that detects the detection light. The light emitting unit 31 is a light emitting diode (LED), and emits detection light toward the inside of the object. The light receiving unit 32 is a photodiode having sensitivity in the near infrared region. An interval W between the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 is set to 30 mm, for example. A distance that is ½ of the interval W between the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 is said to be the penetration depth of the living tissue. Therefore, when the preferable depth for measuring the oxygen concentration in the muscle is 15 mm, the interval W between the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 is preferably 30 mm.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an element that emits three different wavelengths in the near infrared region is selected for the light emitting unit 31. The light of three different wavelengths is composed of, for example, three of 760 nm, 805 nm, and 840 nm (A, B, and C in FIG. 4), and these three wavelengths of light are set as one set. The light emitting unit 31 emits light of three different wavelengths constituting one set in a predetermined order (in the order of A, B, and C in FIG. 4) at regular time intervals. The light emission intensity or light emission amount of these three different wavelengths is determined in advance. Moreover, the light emission part 31 light-emits periodically the combination which consists of light of three different wavelengths. The light receiving unit 32 receives near-infrared light emitted from the light emitting unit 31 and passed through the living tissue, and detects the received light intensity or the received light amount of the received light. By matching the detected received light intensity or received light amount with the light emission timing of the light emitting unit 31, the received light intensity or received light amount for each wavelength is obtained. The photoelectric sensor 30 outputs a measurement signal Is corresponding to the detected received light intensity or received light amount.

  The oxygen concentration calculation unit 14 obtains the absorbance of the object at the wavelength from the light emission amount and the light reception amount of each of the three wavelengths, and obtains the oxygen concentration Xs by a predetermined estimation formula. The estimation formula varies depending on conditions such as the state of the apparatus, but is represented by a linear combination of absorbance at each wavelength. The oxygen concentration Xs is so-called oxygen saturation, and indicates the ratio of oxygenated hemoglobin, which is hemoglobin that actually carries oxygen, out of hemoglobin in blood, and the unit is% (percent). The oxygen concentration calculation unit 14 obtains time-series data of the oxygen concentration Xs by receiving a measurement signal Is continuously measured by the photoelectric sensor 30 and changing according to the oxygen concentration. Here, hemoglobin in blood binds to oxygen in the body, and the absorbance in the near infrared region changes depending on the presence or absence of binding. Therefore, the oxygen concentration calculation unit 14 calculates the oxygen concentration Xs by using the difference in absorbance. In addition, by providing the photoelectric sensor 30 on the body surface of the part corresponding to the muscle of the human body, the oxygen concentration Xs in the muscle within the range of the penetration depth of the photoelectric sensor 30 is detected.

  Next, a change in the oxygen concentration Xs when the output voltage Vx is output by the electrical stimulation device will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the case where the training mode is executed will be described.

  Generally, it is known that when a load is applied to a muscle, a blood vessel in the muscle contracts and the oxygen concentration Xs decreases. Electrical stimulation is also known to place a load on muscles. Therefore, the control unit 11 detects that the electrical stimulation is applying a load to the muscle by measuring the oxygen concentration Xs in the muscle while applying the electrical stimulation to the muscle. The control unit 11 also determines the strength of the load applied to the muscle based on the oxygen concentration Xs in the muscle.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (b), from time t1 to time t2, a pulse output voltage Vx that is a rectangular wave with a period T1 that is switched between two values of the first voltage V1 and the voltage zero is output. Yes. As shown in FIG. 5A, when the output voltage Vx of the above pulse is output, the oxygen concentration Xs in the muscle gradually decreases from the reference value X0, and when not fatigued, the lower limit oxygen concentration When Xm1 is fatigued, the oxygen concentration decreases to the lower limit oxygen concentration Xm2. The lower limit oxygen concentration Xm1 is larger than the lower limit oxygen concentration Xm2 (Xm1> Xm2). The lower limit oxygen concentration Xm1 and the lower limit oxygen concentration Xm2 are examples. When the oxygen concentration Xs reaches the lower limit oxygen concentration Xm1 or the lower limit oxygen concentration Xm2, the decrease in the oxygen concentration Xs stops. Further, when the output voltage Vx is not output, the oxygen concentration Xs increases, and when the first voltage V1 is output, the oxygen concentration Xs decreases. When the output of the output voltage Vx disappears at time t2, the oxygen concentration Xs rises to the reference value X0. Here, the reference value X0 of the oxygen concentration Xs is the oxygen concentration Xs in the muscle when the output voltage Vx is not output, that is, the electrical stimulation is not applied to the muscle.

  When the muscle is tired, the oxygen supply to the muscle is reduced. That is, when an electrical stimulus is applied to a muscle that is fatigued, the oxygen concentration Xs becomes smaller than when the patient is not fatigued. Therefore, the control unit 11 calculates an integral value of the amount of decrease in the oxygen concentration Xs that has decreased when the oxygen concentration Xs has decreased in response to the electrical stimulation being applied. And the control part 11 alert | reports the information regarding the state of a muscle to the operation and display part 12 based on the integral value. That is, the determination unit 15 can determine the muscle fatigue state based on the integrated value of the decrease amount of the oxygen concentration Xs when the oxygen concentration Xs is decreasing. For example, the integrated value of the decrease amount of the oxygen concentration Xs between time t1 and time t2 is calculated, and it is determined that the greater the integrated value, the greater the muscle fatigue state. A map indicating a determination value corresponding to an integrated value of the decrease amount of the oxygen concentration Xs between time t1 and time t2 and a muscle fatigue state with respect to each determination value is stored in the EEPROM 18 in advance.

Next, the operation of the electrical stimulation device described above will be described.
The user wears the supporter 40 on the leg, activates the electrical stimulation device, and measures the oxygen concentration Xs. When the activation or measurement is instructed, the control unit 11 measures the reference value X0 that is the oxygen concentration Xs before the electrical stimulation is applied. In other words, the electrical stimulation control unit 16 does not output electricity to the electrode unit 20 via the power supply unit 13 so that electrical stimulation is not applied when the operation / display unit 12 is activated or measured. Then, the oxygen concentration calculation unit 14 measures the reference value X0 that is the oxygen concentration Xs in a state where electricity is not output to the electrode unit 20, and outputs the reference value X0 to the determination unit 15. The determination unit 15 stores the reference value X0 of the oxygen concentration Xs in the RAM 17.

  Subsequently, the control unit 11 outputs an output voltage Vx of a pulse that is a rectangular wave with a period T1 that switches between two values of the first voltage V1 and the voltage zero. That is, the power supply unit 13 outputs the output voltage Vx to the electrode unit 20 in accordance with the input of the electrical stimulation control unit 16. The controller 11 sequentially measures the oxygen concentration Xs at the output of the pulse output voltage Vx. That is, the oxygen concentration calculation unit 14 calculates the oxygen concentration Xs in a state where the pulse output voltage Vx is output to the electrode unit 20 every minute time, and outputs the oxygen concentration Xs to the determination unit 15. The determination unit 15 stores the input oxygen concentration Xs in the RAM 17. The oxygen concentration Xs corresponds to the measured value.

  The control unit 11 calculates an integrated value when the oxygen concentration Xs is decreasing by outputting the pulse output voltage Vx, and determines a muscle fatigue state based on the integrated value. That is, the determination unit 15 reads the oxygen concentration Xs for each minute time from the time t1 to the time t2 from the RAM 17, calculates the amount of decrease in the oxygen concentration Xs for each minute time, and calculates the integrated value of this amount of decrease. calculate. Then, the determination unit 15 searches the map stored in the EEPROM 18 for a determination value that matches the integration value based on the calculated integration value, and displays the muscle fatigue state for the matching determination value in the operation / display unit 12. Output. The operation / display unit 12 displays the fatigue state of the muscle by a numerical value, a level bar display, a color display, or the like in accordance with an instruction from the determination unit 15.

  The user can grasp the muscle fatigue state during training by looking at the information on the muscle fatigue state on the operation / display unit 12. Therefore, the intensity of electrical stimulation can be easily set in accordance with the muscle fatigue state. And the user can train safely, changing the intensity | strength of electrical stimulation so that an excessive load may not be given to a muscle.

As described above, according to the electrical stimulation device, the following effects can be achieved.
(1) A measurement value that changes in accordance with the oxygen concentration in the muscle is obtained by the measurement signal Is output from the photoelectric sensor 30, and information that reflects the measurement value when an electrical stimulus is applied is displayed on the user for operation. Notification can be made via the unit 12. For this reason, when the user is executing the training mode, information regarding the state of the muscle can be obtained from the operation / display unit 12. Therefore, it is possible to measure the fatigue state of muscles during exercise. In addition, the intensity of electrical stimulation can be easily set according to the state of the muscle.

  (2) After calculating the oxygen concentration Xs based on the measurement signal Is, the operation and display unit 12 is notified of information reflecting the oxygen concentration Xs. For this reason, the state of the muscle according to the oxygen concentration Xs, in other words, the fatigue state and the load state can be obtained and output as information.

(3) Since the integrated value of the decrease amount of the oxygen concentration Xs due to muscle fatigue is calculated, the decrease in the oxygen concentration Xs can be easily understood, and the muscle fatigue can be easily detected.
(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the electrical stimulation device will be described with reference to FIG. The electrical stimulation apparatus according to this embodiment is different from the above-described first embodiment in that muscle fatigue is determined based on the recovery time when electrical stimulation is applied. Hereinafter, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Here, a case will be described in which electrical stimulation is applied to the muscle so as to become a load with respect to the muscle motion of the training.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (b), from time t11 to time t12, a pulse output voltage Vx that is a rectangular wave with a period T2 that is switched between two values of the second voltage V2 and the voltage zero is output. Yes. As shown in FIG. 6A, when the output voltage Vx of the above pulse is output, the oxygen concentration Xs in the muscle decreases, and when the output of the output voltage Vx disappears, the oxygen concentration Xs in the muscle decreases. Ascends from the value. The oxygen concentration Xs in the muscle repeatedly decreases and increases depending on whether or not the output voltage Vx is output. When the output of the output voltage Vx disappears at time t12, the oxygen concentration Xs increases to the reference value X0.

  When the muscle is tired, the oxygen supply to the muscle is reduced. That is, when an electrical stimulus is applied to a muscle that is fatigued, the oxygen concentration Xs becomes smaller than when the patient is not fatigued. For this reason, the time until the oxygen concentration Xs recovers to the reference value X0 after the application of the electrical stimulation is fatigued becomes longer. For example, if the pulse voltage of the second voltage V2 is output from time t11 to time t12 when the muscle is not fatigued, the state where the oxygen concentration Xs is equal to or less than the load determination value X1 continues for the determination time Ta. If the output voltage Vx of the pulse of the second voltage V2 is output from time t11 to time t12 when the muscle is tired, the state where the oxygen concentration Xs is equal to or less than the load determination value X1 continues for the time Tb. This time Tb becomes longer as muscle fatigue increases. Therefore, the control unit 11 notifies the operation / display unit 12 of information indicating that the muscle is fatigued based on the fact that the state where the oxygen concentration Xs is equal to or less than the load determination value X1 continues for the determination time Ta or more. Let That is, the determination unit 15 can determine that the muscle is tired based on the fact that the time Tb in which the oxygen concentration Xs is equal to or less than the load determination value X1 is equal to or greater than the determination time Ta. The load determination value X1 and the determination time Ta are stored in the EEPROM 18 in advance.

Next, the operation of the electrical stimulation device described above will be described.
The user wears the supporter 40 on the leg, activates the electrical stimulation device, and measures the oxygen concentration Xs. When the measurement is instructed, the control unit 11 outputs an output voltage Vx of a pulse that is a rectangular wave having a period T2 that switches between two values of the second voltage V2 and the voltage zero.

  The control unit 11 determines that the muscle is fatigued by outputting the pulse output voltage Vx based on the fact that the state where the oxygen concentration Xs is equal to or less than the load determination value X1 is equal to or longer than the determination time Ta. That is, the determination unit 15 reads the load determination value X1 and the determination time Ta stored in the EEPROM 18. And the determination part 15 reads oxygen concentration Xs for every minute time from the time t11 to the time t12 from RAM17, and calculates the time Tb in the state in which the oxygen concentration Xs is below the load determination value X1. Then, the determination unit 15 outputs to the operation / display unit 12 that the muscle is tired if the calculated time Tb continues for the determination time Ta or more. The operation / display unit 12 displays information indicating that the muscle is tired according to the instruction of the determination unit 15.

  The user can grasp the fatigue state of the muscles being trained by viewing information indicating that the muscles displayed on the operation / display unit 12 are fatigued. Therefore, the intensity of electrical stimulation can be easily set in accordance with the muscle fatigue state. And the user can train safely, changing the intensity | strength of electrical stimulation so that an excessive load may not be given to a muscle.

As described above, according to the electrical stimulation device, in addition to the effect (1) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
(4) Information indicating that the muscle is fatigued based on the fact that the oxygen concentration Xs is equal to or less than the load determination value X1 and continues for the determination time Ta or more is notified from the operation / display unit 12. For this reason, it is possible to reliably detect that the muscle is tired and to report information on the state of the muscle.

(Embodiment 3)
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the electrical stimulation device will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The electrical stimulation device of this embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that the output of the output voltage Vx is changed according to the oxygen concentration Xs. Hereinafter, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Here, a case where training is repeatedly performed while applying electrical stimulation to muscles will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, at time T4 from time t21 to time t22, and at time T4 from time t23 to time t24, a cycle T3 that switches between the binary values of the third voltage V3 and voltage zero. An output voltage Vx of a pulse that is a rectangular wave is output. From time t25 to time t26, a pulse output voltage Vx, which is a rectangular wave with a period T3 that switches between the binary values of the fourth voltage V4 and the voltage zero, is output. If a group of pulses at time T4 is a pulse group, the output of the pulse group is repeated at an interval of time T5.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, when the output voltage Vx of the pulse is output, the oxygen concentration Xs in the muscle decreases to a certain value, and when the output of the output voltage Vx disappears, the oxygen concentration in the muscle Xs rises from the lowered value. The oxygen concentration Xs in the muscle repeatedly decreases and increases depending on whether or not the output voltage Vx is output. When the output of the output voltage Vx disappears at time t22, time t24, and time t26, the oxygen concentration Xs rises to the reference value X0.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the oxygen concentration Xs becomes lower than the second determination value X2 between time t23 and time t24 by applying electrical stimulation to the muscle during time T4, the control unit 11 The output voltage Vx of the pulse group is lowered from the third voltage V3 to the fourth voltage V4. Furthermore, when the oxygen concentration Xs becomes lower than the third determination value X3 between time t25 and time t26, the control unit 11 stops outputting the output voltage Vx. The second determination value X2 is higher than the third determination value X3 (X2> X3). The third voltage V3 is higher than the fourth voltage V4 (V3> V4). The second determination value X2 and the third determination value X3 of the oxygen concentration Xs are stored in the EEPROM 18 in advance. Note that the second determination value X2 and the third determination value X3 correspond to weakening determination values. The second determination value X2 is a determination value for determining whether or not to lower the output voltage Vx, and the third determination value X3 is a determination value for determining whether or not the output voltage Vx is zero. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, at time T4 from time t31 to time t32, at time T4 from time t33 to time t34, and at time T4 from time t35 to time t36, the fifth voltage V5 and voltage zero are obtained. The voltage of the pulse which is a rectangular wave with a period T3 that switches between the two values is output. If a group of pulses at time T4 is a pulse group, the output of the pulse group is repeated at an interval of time T5.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, when the output voltage Vx of the above pulse is output, the oxygen concentration Xs in the muscle decreases to a certain value, and when the output of the output voltage Vx disappears, the oxygen concentration in the muscle Xs rises from the lowered value. The oxygen concentration Xs in the muscle repeatedly decreases and increases according to the presence or absence of voltage output. When the output voltage Vx is not output at time t32, time t34, and time t36, the oxygen concentration Xs increases to the reference value X0.

  As shown in FIG. 8, if the oxygen concentration Xs does not become lower than the fourth determination value X4 between time t31 and time t32, the control unit 11 sets the output voltage Vx of the pulse group to the fifth voltage V5. To the sixth voltage V6. Note that the sixth voltage V6 is higher than the fifth voltage V5 (V6> V5). The fourth determination value X4 is higher than the second determination value X2 (X4> X2). A fourth determination value X4 of the oxygen concentration is stored in the EEPROM 18 in advance. The fourth determination value X4 corresponds to the strengthening determination value.

Next, the operation of the electrical stimulation device described above will be described.
The user wears the supporter 40 on the leg, activates the electrical stimulation device, and measures the oxygen concentration Xs. When the measurement is instructed, the control unit 11 outputs an output voltage Vx of a pulse group that is a rectangular wave having a cycle T3 that switches between two values of the third voltage V3 and the voltage zero.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the oxygen concentration Xs is lower than the second determination value X2 while outputting a pulse of the third voltage V3 for a time T4. That is, the determination unit 15 reads the second determination value X2 stored in the EEPROM 18. The determination unit 15 reads the oxygen concentration Xs from the RAM 17 and determines whether the oxygen concentration Xs is lower than the second determination value X2. The determination unit 15 determines that the oxygen concentration Xs is higher than the second determination value X2 between time t21 and time t22, and outputs the output voltage Vx of the pulse group between the next time t23 and time t24. Do not change. Since the oxygen concentration Xs is lower than the second determination value X2 from time t23 to time t24, the determination unit 15 determines that muscle fatigue is large, and outputs a pulse group from the next time t25. The voltage Vx is changed from the third voltage V3 to the fourth voltage V4.

  Further, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the oxygen concentration Xs is lower than the third determination value X3 while outputting a pulse of the fourth voltage V4 for the time T4. That is, the determination unit 15 reads the third determination value X3 stored in the EEPROM 18. The determination unit 15 reads the oxygen concentration Xs from the RAM 17 and determines whether it is lower than the third determination value X3. The determination unit 15 determines that the fatigue of the muscle is further greater since it is lower than the third determination value X3 at time t26, and stops the output of the output voltage Vx.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the controller 11 determines whether or not the oxygen concentration Xs is higher than the fourth determination value X4 while outputting a pulse of the fifth voltage V5 for a time T4. That is, the determination unit 15 reads the fourth determination value X4 stored in the EEPROM 18. The determination unit 15 reads the oxygen concentration Xs from the RAM 17 and determines whether the oxygen concentration Xs is higher than the fourth determination value X4. Since the oxygen concentration Xs is higher than the fourth determination value X4 between the time t31 and the time t32, the determination unit 15 determines that the training load is low, and between the next time t33 and the time t34. The output voltage Vx of the pulse group is changed from the fifth voltage V5 to the sixth voltage V6.

  Further, the determination unit 15 reads the oxygen concentration Xs from the RAM 17 and determines whether or not the oxygen concentration Xs is higher than the fourth determination value X4. Since the oxygen concentration Xs is lower than the fourth determination value X4 from time t33 to time t34 from time t33 to time t34, the determination unit 15 maintains the output voltage Vx without changing it.

  When the muscle fatigue is large, the electrical stimulation apparatus can perform training safely while suppressing the muscle fatigue by reducing the output voltage Vx or stopping the output of the output voltage Vx. Also, when muscle fatigue is small, training can be performed effectively by increasing the output voltage Vx. Therefore, the intensity of electrical stimulation can be easily set in accordance with the muscle fatigue state.

As described above, according to the electrical stimulation device, in addition to the effect (1) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
(5) Executing the training mode and reducing the oxygen concentration while the oxygen concentration Xs is equal to or less than the second determination value X2 or the third determination value X3 means that the influence of electrical stimulation is large. . Therefore, when the oxygen concentration Xs is less than or equal to the second determination value X2, the intensity of the electrical stimulation is weakened, and when the oxygen concentration Xs is less than or equal to the third determination value X3, the output of the electrical stimulation is stopped. As a result, the further decrease in the oxygen concentration Xs can be stopped.

  (6) Executing the training mode and reducing the oxygen concentration while the oxygen concentration Xs does not fall below the second determination value X2 means that the influence of electrical stimulation is small. Therefore, by increasing the intensity of electrical stimulation, it is possible to further reduce the oxygen concentration Xs by applying a load to the muscle.

(Embodiment 4)
Hereinafter, Embodiment 4 of the electrical stimulation device will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. The electrical stimulation apparatus according to this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that muscle fatigue is determined based on the degree of recovery after electrical stimulation is applied. Hereinafter, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Here, a case where fatigue is accumulated in the muscles due to training or a case where training is difficult due to weak muscle strength will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, at time T7 from time t41 to time t42, at time T7 from time t43 to time t44, and at time T7 from time t45 to time t46, the sixth voltage V6 and the voltage zero are obtained. An output voltage Vx of a pulse that is a rectangular wave with a period T6 that switches between the two values is output. When a group of pulses at time T7 is a pulse group, the output of the pulse group is repeated at an interval of time T8.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, when the pulse voltage is output, the intramuscular oxygen concentration Xs decreases to a certain value, and when the output voltage Vx is no longer output, the intramuscular oxygen concentration Xs is reduced. Rise from the lowered value. The oxygen concentration Xs in the muscle repeatedly decreases and increases depending on whether or not the output voltage Vx is output. When the output of the output voltage Vx disappears at time t42, the oxygen concentration Xs increases substantially to the reference value X0. When the output of the output voltage Vx disappears at time t44, the oxygen concentration Xs rises higher than the fifth determination value X5, but does not rise to the reference value X0. When the output of the output voltage Vx disappears at time t46, the oxygen concentration Xs does not rise to the fifth determination value X5. The fifth determination value X5 corresponds to the recovery determination value.

  When the electrical stimulation is stopped, the muscle contraction is released and the oxygen concentration Xs recovers to the reference value X0. However, when fatigue is accumulated in the muscle, it takes time to recover to the reference value X0 even if the application of electrical stimulation is stopped, or it does not return. Therefore, the control unit 11 determines that the muscle concentration Xs does not recover to the fifth determination value X5 even after the ninth determination time T9 has elapsed from the time t42, t44, t46 when the voltage output is stopped. The operation and display unit 12 is notified of information indicating that the user is tired. A fifth determination value X5 of the oxygen concentration Xs is stored in the EEPROM 18 in advance. The ninth determination time T9 corresponds to the recovery determination time.

Next, the operation of the electrical stimulation device described above will be described.
The user wears the supporter 40 on the leg, activates the electrical stimulation device, and measures the oxygen concentration Xs. When the measurement is instructed, the control unit 11 outputs an output voltage Vx of a pulse that is a rectangular wave having a cycle T6 that switches between the binary values of the sixth voltage V6 and the voltage zero.

  After outputting the pulse output voltage Vx, the control unit 11 determines that the muscle is fatigued based on the fact that the oxygen concentration Xs is lower than the fifth determination value X5 by the time T9 elapses. To do. That is, the determination unit 15 reads the fifth determination value X5 and the time T9 stored in the EEPROM 18. The determination unit 15 reads the oxygen concentration Xs every minute time from the time t42 from the RAM 17, and outputs to the operation / display unit 12 that the muscle is tired when the oxygen concentration Xs is lower than the fifth determination value X5. To do. The operation / display unit 12 displays information indicating that the muscle is tired according to the instruction of the determination unit 15.

  When it is determined that the muscle is tired, the control unit 11 changes the operation mode. For example, the control unit 11 changes from a training mode that applies a load to muscles to an assist mode that supports muscle movement. The training mode and the assist mode differ in the position and timing of electrical stimulation.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, in the training mode, by applying electrical stimulation to the side on which the muscles stretch, muscle contraction can be caused and a load can be applied to the muscles. That is, when thighs are trained during walking, electrical stimulation is applied to the front side of the thigh when the leg is depressed, and electrical stimulation is applied to the rear side of the thigh when the leg is lifted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, in the assist mode, by applying electrical stimulation to the side where the muscle contracts, muscle contraction can be caused to support the movement of the muscle. That is, when assisting the thigh in walking exercise, an electrical stimulus is given to the back side of the thigh when the leg is stepped on, and an electrical stimulus is given to the front side of the thigh when the leg is lifted.

  The user can grasp the state of the muscle during training by viewing information indicating that the muscle displayed on the operation / display unit 12 is tired. Furthermore, the load on the muscle can be suppressed by changing the operation mode from the training mode to the assist mode.

As described above, according to the electrical stimulation device, in addition to the effect (1) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
(7) Since the influence of electrical stimulation is sufficient if the oxygen concentration Xs does not recover to the fifth determination value X5 even after the time T9 has elapsed, the fact that the muscle is tired is reliably detected and notified. can do.

(Embodiment 5)
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG.12 and FIG.13, Embodiment 5 of an electric stimulator is demonstrated. The electrical stimulation apparatus according to this embodiment is different from the above-described first embodiment in that electrical stimulation is applied to both legs and the fatigue level of both legs is adjusted. Hereinafter, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the electrical stimulation device includes a controller 10 and two supporters 40R and 40L. The first supporter 40R is attached to the right leg, and the second supporter 40L is attached to the left leg. A first electrode unit 20R and a first photoelectric sensor 30R as a first measurement unit are attached to the first supporter 40R. A second electrode unit 20L and a second photoelectric sensor 30L as a second measurement unit are attached to the second supporter 40L.

  The electrical stimulation device applies electrical stimulation to each leg and measures the oxygen concentration Xs in the muscle of each leg. The oxygen concentration Xs calculated based on the measurement signal Is output from the first photoelectric sensor 30R corresponds to the first oxygen concentration. The oxygen concentration Xs calculated based on the measurement signal Is output from the second photoelectric sensor 30L corresponds to the second oxygen concentration.

  By the way, when each electrode part 20R, 20L is attached to the left and right legs, there may be a difference in the fatigue level of the muscles of the left and right legs. If training is continued with a difference in fatigue level between the left and right leg muscles, the difference between the left and right fatigue levels will increase. Therefore, the control unit 11 sequentially compares the minimum values of the fatigue levels of the muscles of each leg, and controls the electrical stimulation so that the difference between the left and right fatigue levels is within a predetermined value.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the controller 11 of the electrical stimulation device first applies electrical stimulation to both legs (step S1). That is, the electrical stimulation control unit 16 outputs electricity to the electrode units 20 </ b> R and 20 </ b> L via the power supply unit 13 when a measurement operation is performed on the operation / display unit 12. The power supply unit 13 outputs a voltage to the electrode units 20 </ b> R and 20 </ b> L according to the input of the electrical stimulation control unit 16. The voltages output to the electrode portions 20R and 20L of each leg are the same at the initial stage, but when adjusted, different voltages are adjusted.

  Subsequently, the control unit 11 measures the oxygen concentration Xs in the muscles of both legs (step S2). That is, the oxygen concentration calculation unit 14 calculates the oxygen concentration Xs every minute time based on the measurement signal Is output from the photoelectric sensors 30R and 30L in a state where the voltage is output to the electrode units 20R and 20L. Then, the oxygen concentration calculation unit 14 outputs the calculated oxygen concentration Xs to the determination unit 15. The determination unit 15 stores the input oxygen concentration Xs in the RAM 17.

  Subsequently, the control unit 11 calculates the minimum value XL of the oxygen concentration Xs of the left leg (Step S3). That is, the determination unit 15 reads the oxygen concentration Xs for each minute time from the RAM 17 based on the measurement signal Is output from the second photoelectric sensor 30L, and calculates the minimum value XL of the oxygen concentration Xs of the left leg.

  Further, the control unit 11 calculates the minimum value XR of the oxygen concentration Xs of the right leg (step S4). That is, the determination unit 15 reads the oxygen concentration Xs for each minute time from the RAM 17 based on the measurement signal Is output from the first photoelectric sensor 30R, and calculates the minimum value XR of the right leg oxygen concentration Xs.

  Subsequently, the control unit 11 calculates a difference Y between the minimum value XL of the left leg oxygen concentration Xs and the minimum value XR of the right leg oxygen concentration Xs (step S5). That is, the determination unit 15 calculates the difference Y in the oxygen concentration Xs by the formula (Y = XL−XR).

  And the control part 11 determines whether the difference Y of oxygen concentration Xs is larger than the 1st predetermined value E1 (step S6). That is, the determination unit 15 determines whether or not the difference Y in the oxygen concentration Xs is larger than the upper limit of the predetermined range based on the first predetermined value E1 so that the difference Y falls within the predetermined range. The first predetermined value E1 may be the same as the upper limit value of the predetermined range, or may be a value slightly larger than the upper limit value of the predetermined range. As a result, when the determination unit 15 determines that the difference Y in the oxygen concentration Xs is greater than the first predetermined value E1 (step S6: YES), the minimum value XL of the left leg oxygen concentration Xs is the right leg. Therefore, the voltage output to the right leg is lowered to increase the oxygen concentration Xs of the right leg (step S9).

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 15 determines that the difference Y in the oxygen concentration Xs is equal to or less than the first predetermined value E1 (step S6: NO), the difference Y in the oxygen concentration Xs is greater than the second predetermined value E2. Is also smaller (step S7). That is, the determination unit 15 determines whether or not the difference Y in the oxygen concentration Xs is smaller than the lower limit of the predetermined range based on the second predetermined value E2 so that the difference Y falls within the predetermined range. The second predetermined value E2 may be the same as the lower limit value of the predetermined range, or may be a value slightly smaller than the lower limit value of the predetermined range. As a result, when the determination unit 15 determines that the difference Y in the oxygen concentration Xs is smaller than the second predetermined value E2 (step S7: YES), the minimum value XR of the oxygen concentration Xs in the right leg is the left leg. Therefore, the voltage output to the left leg is lowered to increase the oxygen concentration Xs of the left leg (step S10).

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 15 determines that the difference Y in the oxygen concentration Xs is greater than or equal to the second predetermined value E2 (step S7: NO), the current voltage is maintained (step S8), and step S1. Migrate to

  Therefore, when electrical stimulation is applied to the left and right legs, the left and right legs are fatigued by controlling the difference Y in the oxygen concentration Xs within a predetermined range based on the difference Y in the oxygen concentration Xs between the left and right legs. Training can be continued so that the difference in degrees does not increase.

As described above, according to the electrical stimulation device, in addition to the effect (1) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
(8) The oxygen concentration Xs in the muscle of the right leg to which the first electrode unit 20R applies electrical stimulation is calculated based on the measurement signal Is output from the first photoelectric sensor 30R. Further, the oxygen concentration Xs in the muscle of the left leg to which the second electrode portion 20L applies electrical stimulation is calculated based on the measurement signal Is output from the second photoelectric sensor 30L. And the difference of each calculated oxygen concentration Xs is used for control of each electrode part 20R, 20L. For this reason, by controlling the electrical stimulation given by the electrode portions 20R and 20L, muscle fatigue and muscle load can be controlled.

  (9) The controller 20 controls the first electrode portion 20R and the second electrode portion 20L so that the difference Y between the minimum value XL of the left leg oxygen concentration Xs and the minimum value XR of the right leg oxygen concentration Xs becomes small. 11 controls. For this reason, the oxygen concentration Xs of both legs to which the electrode portions 20R and 20L are attached can be made closer, and as a result, the fatigue of the muscles of both legs and the load on the muscles of both legs can be made closer.

(Modification)
The description regarding each embodiment is an illustration of the form which this electrical stimulation apparatus can take, and it does not intend restrict | limiting the form. This electrical stimulation apparatus can take the modification of each embodiment shown below, for example other than each embodiment.

  In each of the above embodiments, information indicating that a load is applied to the muscle may be notified instead of the information indicating that the muscle is tired. Moreover, you may alert | report both the information which shows that the muscle is tired, and the information which shows that the load is provided to the muscle.

  In the first embodiment, the muscle fatigue state is determined using an integrated value obtained by integrating the oxygen concentration Xs calculated based on the measurement signal Is. However, the fatigue state of the muscle may be determined using an integrated value obtained by integrating the measurement value obtained from the measurement signal Is.

  In the second embodiment, the muscle fatigue state can be determined by the length of the time Tb itself. In such a case, information (map) of the time Tb and the muscle fatigue state for each time Tb is stored in the EEPROM 18 in advance.

  In the second embodiment, the determination may be made based on the reference value X0 instead of the load determination value X1. That is, the time in a state lower than the reference value X0 is defined as time Tb. In this way, it is only necessary to calculate the time from the time t11 when the voltage is output, so it is not necessary to calculate the start point of the time.

In the third embodiment, the output of electrical stimulation is stopped when the oxygen concentration is lower than the third determination value X3. However, the output of the electrical stimulation may not be stopped and the voltage may be further reduced.
In the above-described fourth embodiment, if the time from when the electrical stimulation is applied to when the electric stimulus is returned to the reference value X0 is short, the determination may be made based on the reference value X0 instead of the fifth determination value X5.

  In the fifth embodiment, since the minimum value XL of the left leg oxygen concentration Xs is larger than the minimum value XR of the right leg oxygen concentration Xs in step S9, the left leg oxygen concentration Xs is output to the left leg to decrease. The voltage that is being used may be raised. Similarly, since the minimum value XR of the oxygen concentration Xs of the right leg is larger than the minimum value XL of the oxygen concentration Xs of the left leg in step S10, the voltage output to the right leg to reduce the oxygen concentration Xs of the right leg is set. May be raised.

  In the fifth embodiment, the difference Y in the oxygen concentration Xs may be calculated by the equation (Y = XR−XL). In this case, the voltage of the left leg electrical stimulation is lowered in step S9, and the voltage of the right leg electrical stimulation is lowered in step S10. Alternatively, the right leg electrical stimulation voltage is increased in step S9, and the left leg electrical stimulation voltage is increased in step S10.

  In the above embodiments, the operation / display unit 12 may be a touch panel. By using the surface of the touch panel as an operation unit, the number of buttons can be reduced or eliminated.

  In each of the above embodiments, the operation / display unit 12 has a function of outputting sound, sound, vibration, light, or the like together with the display unit or in place of the display unit as long as information can be notified. You may do it. Thereby, information can be notified by methods other than characters and images.

  -In each above-mentioned embodiment, information about a user's living body may be inputted into operation and display part 12. Examples of biological information include age, sex, height, weight, health status, and the like. The electrical stimulation control unit 16 can input information about the living body from the operation / display unit 12 and adjust the voltage command Vc instructed to the power supply unit 13 based on the input information.

  In each of the above embodiments, if the electrical stimulation suitable for the purpose of training can be given to the muscle, the electrical stimulation control unit 16 increases the voltage command Vc gradually, constantly, in a pulse form, and two of them. The command may include a pattern configured by combining two or more.

  In each of the above embodiments, the first electrode 21, the second electrode 22, and the photoelectric sensors 30, 30R, 30L may be applied to parts other than the legs, such as arms and abdomen, as long as the muscle is a target part. It may be attached.

  In each of the above embodiments, the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 may be any one that can apply electrical stimulation to muscles, such as those that are directly attached to the body surface of the user. It may be worn on the user's body by any other method.

  In each of the above embodiments, the photoelectric sensors 30, 30R, 30L are attached to the user by a method other than the supporter, such as being directly attached to the user's body surface as long as the oxygen concentration can be measured. May be.

  In each of the above embodiments, the W interval between the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 is not limited to 30 mm. Since the distance 1/2 of the interval W between the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 is said to be the penetration depth of the living tissue, the light emitting unit 31 and the light receiving unit 32 are set according to the penetration depth of the living tissue determined according to the purpose. The interval W can be set. As long as the oxygen concentration in the muscle can be measured, the relationship between the interval W and the penetration depth is not limited to ½.

  In each of the above embodiments, the light emitting unit 31 may use a wavelength other than 760 nm, 805 nm, and 840 nm as long as the oxygen concentration can be measured. For example, as the wavelength, it is preferable to select a wavelength that crosses 805 nm, which is the isosbestic point of oxygenated hemoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin, but if there is a difference in absorbance, other wavelengths may be used. Good.

  In each of the above embodiments, the light emitting unit 31 may emit two wavelengths as long as the oxygen concentration can be measured. In the case of two wavelengths, for example, a combination of 760 nm and 840 nm may be mentioned as the wavelength.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the intensity of the electrical stimulation is adjusted by changing the output voltage Vx is exemplified. However, if the intensity of the electrical stimulation can be adjusted, this adjustment is performed by changing the current or power. It may be adjusted by, for example.

In each of the above embodiments, the RAM 17 is provided, but other storage devices may be used as long as the memory can temporarily store the power when the power is on.
In the configuration of the second embodiment, the EEPROM 18 is provided, but other storage devices may be used as long as the memory is maintained when the power is not turned on.

10: Controller 11: Control unit 12: Operation and display unit (notification unit)
13: power supply unit 14: oxygen concentration calculation unit 15: determination unit 16: electrical stimulation control unit 20, 20R, 20L: electrode unit 21: first electrode 22: second electrode 30, 30R, 30L: photoelectric sensor (measurement) Part)
31: Light emitting part 32: Light receiving part 40, 40R, 40L: Supporter

Claims (9)

An electrode for applying electrical stimulation to an object;
A measurement unit that outputs a measurement signal that varies depending on the oxygen concentration of the object;
An informing unit for informing information on the state of the muscle obtained based on the measurement signal;
The informing unit includes a training mode in which the electrical stimulation that can contribute to training is applied to the electrode unit, and the information reflecting the measurement value obtained from the measurement signal obtained when the training mode is executed An electrical stimulation device comprising: a control unit that informs the device. The electrical stimulation device according to claim 1, wherein the measurement value is an oxygen concentration. 3. The electricity according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the notification unit to notify the information reflecting an integration value calculated by integrating the measurement value obtained when the training mode is executed. Stimulator. The controller determines that the muscle is fatigued based on the fact that the state in which the oxygen concentration calculated when the training mode is executed is not more than a load determination value continues for a determination time or more. The electrical stimulation apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the notification unit notifies at least one of information indicating and information indicating that a load is applied to the muscle. The control unit shows a tendency for the oxygen concentration calculated when the training mode is executed to decrease, and based on being greater than or equal to a strengthening determination value, the intensity of the electrical stimulation to be given to the electrode unit The electrical stimulation device according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The control unit shows a tendency that the oxygen concentration calculated when the training mode is executed is decreased, and the intensity of the electrical stimulation to be given to the electrode unit based on being less than a weakening determination value The electrical stimulation device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the electric stimulation device is weakened or zeroed. The control unit includes information indicating that the muscle is fatigued based on the fact that the oxygen concentration does not recover to the recovery determination value even after the recovery determination time has elapsed after the training mode ends, and the muscle The electrical stimulation apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein at least one piece of information indicating that a load is applied to the notification unit is notified to the notification unit. A first electrode portion and a second electrode portion which are the electrode portions;
A first measurement unit and a second measurement unit, which are the measurement units;
The control unit calculates a first oxygen concentration that is the oxygen concentration based on the measurement signal output by the first measurement unit, and based on the measurement signal output by the second measurement unit. A second oxygen concentration that is the oxygen concentration is calculated, and a difference between the first oxygen concentration and the second oxygen concentration is used to control the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion. The electrical stimulation apparatus as described in any one of claim | item 1 -7. The electrical stimulation device according to claim 8, wherein the control unit controls the first electrode unit and the second electrode unit so that the difference becomes small.

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